U.S. Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer, who  led a U.S. delegation to New Delhi on December 4 for an intersessional review of the U.S-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), conducted bilateral and regional consultations with Indian Deputy National Security Advisor Vikram Misri, Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra.

The White House said in a statement that Finer “acknowledged India’s establishment of a Committee of Enquiry to investigate lethal plotting in the United States and the importance of holding accountable anyone found responsible.”

That “lethal plotting” was, of course, in connection with the murder-for-hire plot against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, general counsel for the New York-based Sikhs for Justice.

Indian national Nikhil Gupta (aka “Nick”), 52, has been charged with murder for hire and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire in connection with his participation in a foiled plot to assassinate Pannun in New York City.

The charges were contained in a superseding indictment unsealed last week on Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

The indictment also noted: “On or about June 18, 2023, masked gunmen murdered Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia, Canada.  Nijjar was an associate of the Victim [Pannun], and like the Victim, was a leader of the Sikh separatist movement and an outspoken critic of the Indian government.  On or about June 19, 2023, the day after the Nijjar murder, Gupta told the UC that Nijjar “was also the target” and “we have so many targets.”  Gupta added that, in light of Nijjar’s murder, there was “now no need to wait” on killing the Victim.  On or about June 20, 2023, CC-1 sent Gupta a news article about the Victim and messaged Gupta, “[i]t’s [a] priority now.”

The indictment states that CC-1 is an Indian government agency employee who has variously described himself as a “Senior Field Officer” with responsibilities in “Security Management” and “Intelligence,” and who also has referenced previously serving in India’s Central Reserve Police Force and receiving “officer training” in “battle craft” and “weapons.”  CC-1 directed the assassination plot from India

The indictment also states: “Gupta also told the CS to expect the Victim to be more careful in the wake of the Nijjar murder: “He will be more cautious, because in Canada, his colleague is down. His colleague is down. I sent you the video. So he will be more cautious, so we should not give them the chance, any chance.” Gupta added: If he is not alone, [if] there are two guys with him in the meeting or something … put everyone down, put everyone down.”